A discussion on the problem faced by Mullaitivu fishermen was held on Saturday in Mullaitivu between Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, lawyer and spokesperson M.A. Sumanthiran and the fishermen. The meeting was also attended by former Northern Provincial Council members Thurairasa Ravikaran and Chandralingam Sukirtan.

The fishermen informed Sumanthiran of the problems they face in their daily fishing activities. He said that legal avenues alone will not bring about the necessary changes and that their protests will be the only solution to their struggles. Sumanthiran cited the failures of the Sri Lankan police in resolving problems faced by Tamils despite court orders, especially in relation to the ongoing land grabs of Tamil lands by the Archaeological Department in the North-East of the island. 

He also criticised Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda whom he has previously accused of provoking violence among fishermen of the two countries.

Last month, in light of rising tensions with Indian fishermen, Jaffna fishermen wrote to the Indian Consulate in Jaffna urging the authorities in India and Sri Lanka to urgently step up action to resolve the long-persisting conflict in the Palk Strait. The letter complained about Indian fishermen crossing into the Sri Lankan maritime boundary and of the fishing methods used by Tamil Nadu fishermen which have resulted in huge losses to the fishermen.